The Bill's famous faces: Top 10 actors who've got their break on the ITV crime show

After more than 25 years, Britain's longest running police drama The Bill will broadcast its final episode on August 31.

After more than 25 years, Britain's longest running police drama The Bill will broadcast its final episode on August 31.

Here, we look back at the top 10 actors and actresses who have used The Bill as a springboard to further success.

1. Robert Carlyle, known for his roles as Begbie in the film Trainspotting and Gary Schofield in The Full Monty, guest starred in the 1991 episode The Better Part of Valour while his career was on the rise.

2. Martine McCutcheon, actress of Eastenders and Love Actually fame and singer, got one of her first breaks when she appeared in a 1991 episode of The Bill, then returned the following year for another appearance.

3. Emma Bunton of Spice Girls fame appeared in a 1993 episode of The Bill, playing a troubled teenager in the episode Missionary Work.

4. David Tenant, the actor most famous for his portrayal of The Doctor in the television series Doctor Who, made an appearance as the kidnapper Stephen Clements in 1995.

5. Omid Djalili, the famous British/Iranian actor and comedian, has completed several headline tours and starred in films such as The Infidel, as well as playing Fagin in the West End production of Oliver! in 2009. Back in 1999, he made a guest appearance in the episode Chasing Shadows.

6. Russell Brand, the notorious stand up comedian and actor who starred in the 2010 film Get Him to the Greek, has expressed regret at the axing of the Bill, reminiscing about the time he starred as a cocky young thief in 1995 when he was 18.

7. Hollywood star Keira Knightley kicked off her early acting career playing ten-year-old troublemaker Sheena Rose in the 1995 episode Swan Song.

8. Comedian and actor Hugh Laurie made a guest appearance on the Bill playing defence counsel Harp in the 1998 episode Good Faith: Part 1.

9. Craig Charles, famous for his portrayal of Dave Lister in the cult sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf and now a Corrie actor, played Martin Bailey in a 1995 episode of The Bill entitled Honey Pot.

10. Meera Syal, The Indo-British comedian and actress famous for her role as the Grandmother in successful TV comedy The Kumars at No. 42, made an appearance as a solicitor in season seven episode of the Bill.